The Global Conversation

Dawns to me this - how easily accepted are charismatic shows of ecstasy by African people who used to their shamanic rituals of frenzy.

Prosperity Gospel (like a smile on the peddler Joel) is a satanic verse sweet to hear.

The Bible teaches that human wisdom is foolishness with YHVH Elohim. The Bible teaches that endless arguments serve no purpose in building the Kingdom of YHVH. The Bible also teaches that it is to be the ONLY yardstick by which we measure. The Holy Spirit has revealed to me the truth of John 8:32 & 44 - the Bible = the written Word of YHVH = (2+2=4). You see, when you add 2 objects to another 2 objects, you will have 4 objects. It doesn't matter what you or I believe - there will still be exactly 4 objects. The original God-breathed Scripture is what it is and it says what it says. It doesn't matter what you or I believe - it doesn't change what YHVH has written. I can often just shake my head ut us "high & mighty" human cleverness (foolishness in His eyes). Shalom

On your "Who Is Jesus?" page you state that "God loves you and offers a "wonderful" plan for your life." I think your" Who is Jesus...Really" page is another example of the prosperity gospel. Think about it, should we be coming to Jesus for happiness or for righteousness? The early church and the disciples did not have a wonderful life, they were persecuted daily, however they did have an abundant life that was full in Christ.

Hello I am from Africa and this video to say the least was hilarious and sad at the same time to see how christians can be taken advantage of if they do not read the word of God and understand it. I remembered the widow's mite and Jesus said that she gave the most because Jesus looks at the heart and not at the amount. I think what we really need to tell our fellow brothers and sisters in africa is to read the Bible and understand it like the Bereans did so that they will be aware of the spirits and be knowledgable about the word of God.

Hi HD Randle. I should feel honoured that you took the time to write a response [though a slightly repettitve one, but that's ok, you are American], in spite of my theological attempts being so utterly laughable. But thahnks for giving me so much food for thought, as you indicate, for my "research". So I guess, I will shut up (on that particular topic, anyway), till I have done my homework...

continued... And so while, your logic might be legitimate, it doesn't square with reality (i.e., the fact that American Evangelical Calvinists are staunchly opposed to the prosperity gospel and have no connections to its root in the U.S.). I would recommend you read some popular Calvinists on the prosperity gospel in order to confirm this. Some of the most well known and influential Calvinists in the U.S. include men like J.I. Packer, Albert Mohler, John Piper, John MacArthur, D.A. Carson, Wayne Grudem, and David Platt. I hope this helps you in your research of the prosperity gospel.

continued... As for the prosperity gospel having possible roots in Calvinism, nothing could be farther from reality. You are correct that the prosperity gospel finds its roots in America. However, the origination can be traced to those who would be deeply opposed to Calvinism. Men like Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuller, E.W. Kenyon, and others tend to come out of Methodists / Arminian roots, rather than Calvinistic ones. In fact, I could not find one leader associated with the prosperity gospel that came out of a Presbyterian / Reformed / Calvinistic tradition.

Mr. Lutz, The reason why your proposed connection between Calvinism and the prosperity gospel is so laughable is quite simply because there is probably no greater group of critics against the prosperity gospel than American Evangelical Calvinists. While I understand your logic of how one could attempt to prove they are indeed of the elect by showing material blessings (and there was actually some expression of this within the early Puritans), the reality is that you won't find this in any form of contemporary mainstream Calvinism. There might certainly be some cases out there, but as a general movement, Calvinism is staunchly opposed to the prosperity gospel.

"4/3" {sorry, had to break this into pieces and just realized that the last bit did not get in, so here it is}: [ok, I see that it may be unfair to single out Calvinism; because for Dr M. Luther, for example, a driving question to his reformatory activity was precicely one of the "Am I in (or out)?" questions, phrased: "How do I find a God who is favourable (German: "gnaedig") towards me?" But that does not invalidate my argument - it just shows that we are dealing with a much broader phenomenon] How does that sound to you?